Foraminous support platforms

ABSTRACT

Foraminous support platforms capable of supporting objects in spaced relation to a floor or other supporting surface and which permit air circulation and/or liquid drainage through and around the platforms with respect to the objects supported thereon. The platforms can be constructed in a wide variety of structural forms and are formed of a mesh or mesh-type netting or screen fabric which can be produced with the desired physical and chemical properties depending on its intended end use. These platforms are capable of being used in a wide variety of environments and for a large number of intended uses. An exemplary, but non-limiting number of embodiments of the subject support platforms are disclosed herein and taught by the present invention. Some embodiments employ a single corrugated mesh or mesh-like fabric and other embodiments employ a corrugated mesh or a mesh-type member with a second relatively flat mesh-like sheet secured to the corrugation peaks of a corrugated member. A further embodiment includes a corrugated mesh-like fabric member with flat mesh-like sheet members secured to the peaks on both of the opposite sides of the corrugations of a corrugated member. Still another embodiment includes a relatively flat mesh-like sheet member with a plurality of support members or legs secured to one surface thereof at spaced locations. The invention also teaches the use of foraminous platforms formed of various layers comprising combinations of corrugated flat sheets and/or spaced support elements. The present invention also resides in various methods of making the disclosed platforms.

United States Patent 1191 Morgan, III

1 1 June 4, 1974 1 1 FORAMINOUS SUPPORT PLATFORMS [76] Inventor: Richard .1. Morgan, 111, 736 S.

Washington St.. Van Wert, Ohio 45891 221 Filed: Aug. 4, 1971 211 App]. No.: 168,997

[52] US. Cl. 108/51, 5/345 [51] Int. C1. B6501 19/18 [58] Field of Search 108/51-58'. 5/147. 347, 354; 156/210 [56] References Cited UNITED'STATES PATENTS 2.506.346 5/1950 Crawford; 1011/51 2.841.350 7/1958 Chronister 108/56 3.051.966 9/1962 Ness 5/347 3.063.753 11/1962 Mitchell 5/347 X 3.086.899 4/1963 Smith et a1 156/210 X 3.123.838 3/1964 Wilson 5/347 3.315.283 4/1967 Larsen 297/D1G. 2 3.372.406 3/1968 Hecketrorn 1 5/347 3.552.328 1/1971 Sulliva 1113/58 3.562.825 2/1971 Larsen 5/354 3.644.159 2/1972 Edkvist 156/210 3.682.736 8/1972 Akamatsu 156/211) Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant E.raminerG. O. Finch Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Charles B. Haverstock objects in spaced relation to a floor or other supporting surface and which permit air circulation and/or liquid drainage through and around the platforms with respect to the objects supported thereon. The platforms can be constructed in a wide variety of structural forms and are formed of a mesh or mesh-type netting or screen fabric which can be produced with the desired physical and chemical properties depending on its intended end use. These platforms are capable of being used in a wide variety of environments and for a large number of intended uses. An exemplary. but non-limiting number of embodiments of the subject support platforms are discloses. herein and taught by the present invention. Some embodiments employ a single corrugated mesh or mesh-like fabric and other embodiments employ a corrugated mesh or a mesh-type. member with a secondrelatively flat mesh-like sheet secured to the corrugation peaks of a corrugated member. A further embodiment includes a corrugated mesh-like fabric member with flat meshlikc sheet members secured to the peaks on both of the opposite sides of the corrugations ofa corrugated member. Still another embodiment includes a relatively flat mesh-like sheet member with a plurality of support members or legs secured to one surface thereof at spaced locations. The invention also teaches the use of foraminous platforms formed of various layers comprising combinations of corrugated flat sheets and/or spaced support elements. The present invention also resides in various methods of making the dis closed platforms.

I FORAMINOUS SUPPORT PLATFOS uses in commercial and industrial activities as well as in leisure time activities wherever it is desired to support objects off the ground or floor for some purpose.

Support platforms of this type could be used, for-example, to support a tent floor or bedroll above the ground and they could be used to support merchandise in a warehouse or outside where it is desired to provide air circulation to keep the merchandise dry and yet permit rain or other moisture to drain off without having the merchandise rest on a moist surface. The subject platforms also find employment as a cushioning and/or insulation member for positioning between objects to prevent damage to then and in some cases to provide insulation from heat or cold. The subject platforms can also be used as floor mats especially where it is desired to be able to flush the under floor surface without disturbing the floor mat or the objects thereon. The above are only exemplary of the many possible uses and applications of the present foraminous support platforms.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a foraminous support platform constructed of a mesh or mesh-like fabric which is capable of permitting air circulation and/or drainage with respect to objects supported thereon.

Another object is to provide a foraminous support platform of the type stated which can be fabricated in a wide variety of sizes, shapes or structural forms depending on the use which is to be made ofthe platform.

It is also an object to provide a foraminous support platform which can be formed of a plastic or synthetic resin material selected to provide the desired strength, weight and other properties.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a foraminous support platform which is not subjected to deterioration by corrosive environments or other deleterious conditions.

Another object is to provide a relatively inexpensive lightweight foraminous platform structure which can be rolled up and made compact for handling, carrying and storing.

A further object is to provide improved means for supporting objects.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method of making low cost foraminous sup port platforms on a mass production basis requiring a relatively low investment in capital equipment.

It is another salient object of the present invention to provide a method of making foraminous support platforms of the type stated which method lends itself to automation, requiring little or no operator attention.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification which discloses several illustrative practical embodiments of the subject platforms and of methods of making the same in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a top plan view of a foraminous support platform formed of a corrugated mesh-like fabric material, and which is constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the foraminous support platform of FIG. I shown resting on a floor or other supporting surface;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a portion of a modified form of the subject foraminous support platform and illustrating one of the steps of the method of making same;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view showing another modified form of the present foraminous support platform;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of yet another modified form of the subject foraminous support platform;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the foraminous support platform of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a further modified form of the subject forami nous platform;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of an additional modified form of the subject foraminous support platform;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fragment of mesh fabric which'is: used in the fabrication of the subject foraminous support platforms;

FIG. I0 is a cross-sectional view showing the type of support platform of FIG. 3 wound into a small compact roll;

FIG. III is a schematic side elevational view of a cor rugating mechanism showing the formation of corrugations in meshfabrics; and,

FIG. I2 is a schematic side elevational view of an other form of mechanism for producing a plural layer foraminous support platform construction.

The present invention relates to foraminous support platforms which are constructed of a mesh or mesh-like fabric formed by a plurality of intersecting strands and fonning apertures distributed throughout the surface thereof similar to a netting or screen material, and where the strands forming the fabric are preferably a lightweight plastic material. The materials used in the formation of the mesh-like fabric are selected to provide the desired physical properties such as weight, rigidity and the like, and are also selected to provide the desired chemical properties, such as for example, resistance to corrosive environments, and ability to withstand heat and cold, and large temperature differentia'ls. The subject platforms can be constructed in a wide variety of structural forms in order to effectively serve an intended end use and all such forms permit air flow and drainage with respect to the objects supported thereon.

An exemplary but non-limiting number of embodiments of the foraminous support platforms are disclosed and include:

l. A platform which is formed of a single corrugated mesh-like fabric;

2. A platform which comprises a corrugated meshlike fabric member having a relatively flat meshlike sheet secured to the corrugation peaks on one side of the corrugated mesh-like fabric member;

3. A platform which comprises a corrugated meshlike fabric member having relatively flat mesh-like sheets secured to opposed corrugation peaks on both opposite sides of a sheet of corrugated meshlike fabric;

4. A platform which comprises a mesh-like fabric sheet with a plurality of spaced apart support members or pedestals secured to one surface thereof;

5. A platform which comprises a plurality of corrugated mesh-like fabric members with interposed connected mesh-like sheets secured to the corrugations on one or both opposite sides of said members, said structure being optionally also provided with openings for receivingthe forks on forklift trucks;

6. A support platform construction which comprises at least one corrugated mesh-like fabric member having a mesh-like sheet secured to the corrugation peaks on one side and a plurality of spaced apart support members or pedestals secured to the opposite side of the mesh-like sheet.

As indicated previously, the embodiments of the platform described above are only exemplary of a large number of possible structural forms that could be used in making the subject platforms and other structural forms of these platforms not specifically described are also encompassed by the present invention. The important thing is that the present invention discloses a lightweight foraminous support means that can be used to support objects some distance above the ground or other support surface so that the objects are exposed on all sides to air circulation and so that they will not have to rest in moisture. All of the embodiments disclosed ehrein provide these advantages, the selection of a particular embodiment depending on the purpose, strength, and other characteristics desired Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings, several practical embodiments of the foraminous support platforms of the present invention are illustrated and described, and each of these platforms includes a mesh-like fabric material as an integral part thereof.

The term fabric" as used herein refers to a woven or knit material and is not limited to materials formed of vegetable or animal fibers, but also includes other materials which are capable of being woven, knitted or otherwise produced in the form of a mesh-like structure, such as various plastic compositions capable of being extruded, molded or thermoformed, various metals and metal compounds, and the like. However, while all such materials can be used, fabrics formed of the plastic compositions are preferred for use in the present invention inasmuch as plastic materials are generally light in weight, relatively durable, capable of withstanding considerable abuse and also capable of withstanding most deleterious natural and chemical actions.

The term mesh-like" as used herein refers to the knitted or woven pattern of the strands forming the fabric and where the strands are united in such manner that apertures exist between the strands and are distributed throughout at least a substantial portion of the fabric, in a manner similar to a netting or screen mate rial. The term mesh-size, as used herein, refers to the size of the apertures in the mesh-like fabric and the apertures preferably should have a size which is at least sufficient to permit air flow, circulation and drainage therethrough, and preferably a size which is at least greater in minimum dimension than the thickness of any of the strands in the fabric.

The term platform as used herein refers to a member which is capable of supporting an object in spaced relation to a floor or other supporting surface and the platform is not necessarily limited to members having flat supporting surfaces, but also includes members having nonlinear or irregular supporting surfaces, as well.

The fabric material used in the fabrication of the subject support platforms is a mesh-like material of the type described above and may have almost any type of strand configuration, such as those for example, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 9. Further, it can be observed that the fabric can be produced with substantially any shape of mesh as desired, e.g., strands which form square apertures, triangular apertures, or with almost any other type of geometric pattern. The size, thickness and strength of the mesh can also be varied depending on the intended use.

The plastic compositions used in the production of these fabric materials may be selected from various synthetic thermoplastic materials, natural or synthetic rubbers which are subsequently vulcanized, thermosetting plastics, or variouswet spinable materials such as viscose, cuprammonium cellulose or various protein materials. Known plasticizers, fillers and extenders can be incorporated in the resin material in order to produce a plastic composition which will render a meshlike fabric with desired physical and chemical properties such as for example, flexibility, elasticity, internal strength parameters, corrosion resistance, ability to withstand heat or cold or extreme temperature differentials, and the like.

The mesh-like fabric material can be produced in a single operation by a number of known processes, such as thermofor'ming, injection molding, extrusion, pultrusion, or the like. In like manner, the strands or so-called monofilaments which are used in the formation of the mesh-like fabric can be extruded or pultruded and then subsequently woven into a net-like or screen-like material. One of the preferred methods of producing the mesh-like fabric relies upon the use of a plurality of shiftable extrusion die orifices which are sequentially placed into registration and non-registration with one another in order to automatically extrude a mesh-like fabric material. In the production of the mesh-like fabric, the diameter of the die sets used in the extrusion process or pultrusion process may be varied in order to produce mesh strands of desired thickness.

The desired thickness of the mesh strands and/or the desired mesh-size of the fabric are important fabrication criteria inasmuch as these criteria will, in part, de termine the weight of the fabric and hence the weight of the ultimate platform. In addition, as stated above, the plastic composition which is used in the formation of the mesh strands will, in part, determine the various physical and chemical properties of the mesh-like fabric, and hence the physical and chemical properties of the ultimate platform.

The actual structural forms assumed by the subject platforms is largely determined by the intended end use but each of the platforms includes the mesh-like fabric as an integral part thereof. For example, the platforms may comprise a single mesh-like fabric layer with a plurality of corrugations formed therein (lFlG. ll or it may comprise a mesh-like fabric layer with a plurality of 5 face thereof. Further, the invention contemplates having a plurality of mesh'like fabric sheets with a plurality of spaced apart support members interposed between each of the sheets. in addition, combinations of the foregoing structural forms may be employed to render a platform with desired structural qualities.

Referring now to H65. 5 and 2, P designates a one piece foraminous support platform constructed in accordance with, and embodying the teachings of the present invention, and which comprises a mesh-like fabricmember l having a plurality of corrugations 2 formed therein, each of the corrugations 2 being provided with spaced peaks or so-called apexes' 3 and valleys therebetween. By reference to H6. 2, it can be seen that the downwardly extending valleys which may be similar to the peaks 3 are in engagementwith a floor or other supporting surface F and that the spaced upwardly extending peaks 3 are available for engaging and supporting an object (not shown) at a spaced location above the floor. The platform P may yield somewhat under the weight of an object placed thereon causing some compression of the peaks 3 depending on the strength and other characteristics of the material used in the construction.

C orrugations can be formed in any of the fabric materials used in the subject platforms such as the fabric member 1 and this can be done by means of a corrugat' ing mechanism C which is more fully illustrated in FlG. ii and is shown comprising a pair of cooperating corrugating wheels 41 and d operatively mounted for rotation on shafts 5 and 5, respectively. Either one or both of the corrugating wheels 4 and d and/or the shafts 5 and 5 can be driven by suitable means (not shown) to rotate the wheels d and d in the desired directions as a web of mesh-like fabric is passed therebetween. The wheels d and 4' areprovided with mating gear shaped surfaces 6 and 6 which engage opposite sides of the mesh-like material in the manner illustrated and in so doing form the corrugations. in order to make the corrugations permanent and/or to alter the physical prop erties of the fabric material in some desired way one or both of the wheels 4 and 4i may also be provided with heating elements (not shown) to heat and soften or melt the fabric material sufficiently so that it will retain the corrugated shape that is imparted to it. Altematively, preheater means (not shown) can be located in advance of the corrugating wheels d and d with respect to the direction of movement of the fabric material to heat and soften the material just before it goes between the wheels and is corrugated. While the corruwting mechanism C illustrates a preferred means. it should be recognized that other means, including means well known in the art, could be used as well to form the corrugations and it is not intended to limit corrugating to the particular means shown. Other ways for corrugating, for example, that can be used include placing the fabric member between mating die members that come together or placing the member on a single heated die member of suitable shape. The corrugating could also be done at the same time that the mesh itself is formed, if desired.

FIG. 3 discloses a modified form of platform P; which generally comprises a corrugated mesh-like fabric member '7, similar to the fabric: member 1, and having a plurality of corrugations d with downwardly extend ing peaks (or valleys) 9 for engaging a floor or other supporting surface, as well as a plurality of upwardly extending peaks 9 which in this case are fused or otherwise attached to spaced locations on relatively flat mesh-like sheet lit). The sheet ll ll may have the same or a different mesh pattern as the fabric member 7 and is heat sealed or otherwise secured to the upwardly extending peaks 9, as will be explained.

The platform P assuming the same type material does not have the same degree of flexibility which is inherent in the platform P, due to the added rigidity and strengthimparted by the sheet W. This also means that the platform P is less able to yield under the weight of an object disposed thereon and is able to support heavier objects. In addition, the platform P provides a relatively flat upper surface which is also foraminous in its construction and permits free air flow circulation and/or liquid drainage throughland around the platform and the objects supported thereon. Referring again to H6. 3., it can be seen that the mesh-like sheet if) is attached to the corrugation peaks 9 of the member '7 by heat applying means such as infrared heating elements ill in such a manner that portions of the mesh strands in the sheet it) are fused to portions of the mesh strands at the peaks 9 of the corrugations 8. it has been found that infrared heaters lll are highly effective for fusing two mesh-like fabric members particularly when they are constructed of plastic materials such as Nylon, Orlon, Mylar and the like because they can apply their heat rapidly and without actually coming in contact with the members being joined. While infrared heating is a preferred means for this purpose, it should be recognized that other forms of heating means, such as electric I heating devices, dielectric heating devices, sonic energy heating devices and other similar means could be used as well. Similarly, the present invention is not limited to the fusing of two or more mesh-like fabric members together since they can obviously be attached in many other ways as well. For example, the sheet it) could be woven or sewn to the fabric 7, or the two members could be secured by means of adhesives such as an epoxy resin, various known glues, or they could be attached by fasteners such as staples, clamps,

and the like.

FIG. 3 discloses another modified form of platform P which comprises a corrugated meshlike fabric member E2 or so-called medium provided with corrugations 113 having spaced upper and lower peaks 14. in this case. a first relatively flat mesh-like fabric sheet 115 is secured to the upwardly extending corrugation peaks M and a second relatively flat mesh-like sheet is attached to the lower peaks on the opposite side of the corrugated member 12. Again, the mesh-like fabric medium 12 may be secured to the two sheets 15 and 16 by fusion or any of the other means as described above. It is usually preferable to form the corrugated fabric members 7 or 12 and the associated sheets W, l and 16 from the same material and there may also be advantages in having all mesh-like components of the same mesh basic construction for economy sake though this is not necessary to the invention. The platform P is inherently more rigid than the platforms P. or P when made of the same materials and it is also expected that the platform P will be able to support heavier loads than the platforms P, or F when the same mesh-like fabric is employed because the added flat sheet further helps to prevent collapse of the corrugations 13 under load. However, the P, and P constructions may have the advantage in some applications in that they are relatively easily rolled up into a fairly compact form which is not as true of the P construction.

FIGS. 5 and 6 disclose a further modified form of platform P, which comprises a relatively flat mesh-like fabric sheet I7 which has secured to its underside a plurality of spaced support blocks sometimes called pedestals" 18. The sheet H7 is shown formed of strands that intersect in a manner to produce a meshlike pattern with diamond shaped apertures, though it should be understood that the strands of the fabric could be located and united to produce any other geometric pattern, such as those illustrated in FIGS. I and 9.

The pedestals 18 are shown as blocks formed of a foam-like material, such as a relatively rigid polyurethane foam which is spongy and resilient and capable of providing support while at the same time adjusting to the ground contour as well as the contour or shape of the objects being supported. Furthermore, pedestals formed from a foam-like material readily withstand the effects of corrosive environments and the deleterious chemical action. Notwithstanding, it should be recognized that pedestals could also be formed of various other plastic or plastic-like materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and other plastic materials. Pedestals of materials such as wood, metal and like substances could also be used without losing the important advantages of providing a platform that permits air circulation and drainable around objects supported thereon. If plastic-type pedestals lfi are employed they can be secured tothe mesh-like fabric sheet I7 by means of heat fusing them thereto using means similar to those already described above. The pedestals 18 can also be attached to the mesh-like fabric sheet 17 by other means as well including adhesive means and by fastening means such as those already described. The size, spacing and arrangement of the pedestals can all be varied as desired and a construction using pedestals may be able to be rolled up into a relatively compact form for convenience in handling and storing.

FIG. 7 discloses another modified form of foraminous support platform P which combines features from several of the above structures including particularly the features of the structure shown in FIG. The structure P includes an upper portion like the structure of FIG. 4 with spaced similar portions attached to its underside to serve as legs or additional supports. The spacing of the lower portions may be selected to receive the lifter elements on a forklift type truck. The platform P is therefore designed to be capable of effectively functioning as a pallet. The platform P is illustrated having only two tiers of corrugated material though it should be understood that three or more tiers could be used if desired. Also, the slots 23 for accommodating a forklift truck could be located at any desired vertical or horizontal positions within the platform P and do not have to be located at the positions illustrated. The relative locations of the corrugation peaks in the several layers can be selected to provide the desired load supporting characteristics and the spacing and sizes of the corrugations are selected with the intended purpose in mind.

FIG. 8 shows another combination type platform structure P which combines the features of the structure shown in FIG. 4 with the pedestal feature of FIGS. 5 and 6. The pedestal can be attached to the rest of the structure in the same manner as in the above structures. The structure of FIG. 8 can also be repeated or modified in many ways as desired and depending on the use or purpose.

It should now be apparent that many variations of the present basic structures can be achieved in the subject platforms, but in any such structure, one or more of the platform layers should include a corrugated mesh-likc fabric member. As indicated previously, the exact structure will be predicated in large measure upon the intended end use of the platform.

From the foregoing description, it should now also be recognized that in any of the subject platform structures the various fabric layers or members can be formed of strands of the same or different sizes as well as the same or different mesh sizes. In addition, it is often desirable to form the various components of the platform from the same materials, though it is recognized that in some cases the use of several different materials may be used in the same structure. However, in the event that the various platform components are to be made from plastic'materials, it is usually desirable to employ plastics which are compatible with each other for purposes of welding or fusing the members together.

The foraminous support platforms which can be made in accordance with this invention are generally light in weight and easily transportable, and in some cases the platforms can be rolled into relatively compact units and easily and quickly unrolled for use. The platforms P and P in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, for example, are constructed in such manner that they can be readily wound into small compact rolls, and FIG. 10 shows the platform P wound into such a roll for ease of handling and storage.

Platforms which embody at least one corrugated mesh-like member and at least one non-corrugated mesh-like member in'combination therewith, such as the platforms P and R, can be constructed using an apparatus A such as illustrated in FIG. 12. The apparatus A is shown as including a pair of corrugating wheels having mating gear-shaped peripheral surfaces 31 and mounted for rotation about spaced shafts 32. Either or both of the corrugating wheels 30 may be heated by suitable heater means in the same or similar manner as discussed in connection with the apparatus of FIG. 11 and/or preheaters may be provided, if desired. A meshlike fabric sheet is heated and corrugated to form a permanent corrugation set as it passes between corrugating wheels 30 and thereafter, a pair of relatively flat mesh-like sheets are brought into contact with the corrugations and attached thereto by other heater means, such as infrared heaters 33. The mesh-like sheets may be conveniently and continuously supplied from spools 34 being guided in their movement by guide rollers 35 which also may urge the mesh-like sheets into close contact with the corrugations on the fabric sheet. The apparatus A in slightly modified form can also be used to construct other types of platforms such as for example, platforms having only one corrugated fabric sheet and one flat mesh-like sheet similar to the platform P (FIG. 3).

As indicated previously the platforms disclosed herein can be used in a wide variety of circumstances including activities such as to support a tent floor or bedroll, they can be used to support merchandise off of the floor or ground, they can be used where it is desired to clean a floor surface under goods. they can be used as pallets in goods handling and storage situations, they can be used as floor mats to walk on, they can be used as shelving and they can be used for many other purposes as well. They are also particularly useful and practical for any application where it is desired to permit air circulation around a supported article and where it is desired to provide easy drainage from around something. it is also important that the subject platforms are relatively cheap to make and relatively free of deterioration in almost any environment. Cleaning and/or sterilization of the platforms is also relatively simple since they can be washed or sterilized in hot water or a low temperature autoclave. Use of the subject platforms as floor mats to replace the conventional wooden or metal platforms and so called false floors in dairies and other similar operations is also contemplated and facilitates flushing of the floor and the main tenance of sanitary conditions. Conventional wooden floor mats usually deteriorate and rot from water soaking after a period of time, and conventional metal floor mats usually rust after a period of time 'when exposed to continuous liquid flushing. They can also be used as drying racks for the sink or dishwasher.

Thus, there has been both shown and described novel.

foraminous support platforms which fulfill all of the ob jects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present device will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art. after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is: s

l. A one-piece foraminous support platform capable of being disposed on a supporting surface, said platform comprising a plurality of integrally connected intersecting plastic strands'forming a meshJike fabric member, said member being formed of a plastic substance that is relatively stiff but somewhat yieldable so that it retains its shape and resists deformation but can be rolled up for convenience in handling and storing, said fabric member having opposite surfaces capable of engaging and supporting an object in upwardly spaced relation to said supporting surface. said intersecting strands being interconnected to form apertures distributed throughout a substantial portion of said member, and means for supporting at least a portion of said fabric member in a position spaced upwardly from said supporting surface, said fabric member having permanent corrugations formed therein, said corrugations having oppositely extending apertured corrugation ridges some of which engage the supporting surface and others. the object being supported, said apertured corrugations permitting relatively free circulation of air and water between the object being supported and the supporting surface.

2. The foraminous support platform of claim I further characterized in that said corrugations all extend in the same direction and are defined by parallel ridges and valleys.

is k 

1. A one-piece foraminous support platform capable of being disposed on a supporting surface, said platform comprising a plurality of integrally connected intersecting plastic strands forming a mesh-like fabric member, said member being formed of a plastic substance that is relatively stiff but somewhat yieldable so that it retains its shape and resists deformation but can be rolled up for convenience in handling and storing, said fabric member having opposite surfaces capable of engaging and supporting an object in upwardly spaced relation to said supporting surface, said intersecting strands being interconnected to form apertures distributed throughout a substantial portion of said member, and means for supporting at least a portion of said fabric member in a position spaced upwardly from said supporting surface, said fabric member having permanent corrugations formed therein, said corrugations having oppositely extending apertured corrugation ridges some of which engage the supporting surface and others the object being supported, said apertured corrugations permitting relatively free circulation of air and water between the object being supported and the supporting surface.
 2. The foraminous support platform of claim 1 further characterized in that said corrugations all extend in the same direction and are defined by parallel ridges and valleys. 